Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

The so-called metal jet is a high-energy metal stream produced using specific techniques, mainly generated by the Monroe effect explosion of a shaped charge.

It does not melt metal but rather forms a high-temperature, high-pressure fluid from the metal liner (usually copper) under explosive impact.

The jet speed can reach 2,000–8,000 meters per second, with temperatures exceeding 3,000°C, making it an overkill for personnel destruction.

Against these arm-like monsters, it was still better to be cautious.

Hughes had initially prepared for the possibility that bullets would be completely ineffective against them, in which case these specially designed landmines would serve as the final line of defense.

Fortunately, though their forms were twisted to the extreme, they still seemed to be carbon-based lifeforms.

Their weak flesh was unable to withstand steel. As the flames died down, all the arm monsters fell.

Hughes let out a sigh of relief, it seemed that everything had detonated as expected.

The biggest technical challenge of these landmines was ensuring a stable trigger mechanism.

However, with Nini’s biological fuse assistance, this was no longer an issue; in fact, it became a strength. A precise and stable detonation was particularly rare for the weapons of this era.

The soldiers were visibly shaken. They were only about a hundred meters from the explosion’s center, and it was their first time experiencing such deafening noise and intense firelight.

A few of them were so scared they wet their pants, while many more stood frozen in place, staring ahead in a daze.

Alexei immediately led the squad leaders to pat them on the back, urging them to regain their composure.

Soldiers who were frightened without intervention could easily develop psychological trauma, leading to a lifelong fear of combat.

The Imperial Army Academy had dedicated teachings on this subject.

Fortunately, although this was the soldiers’ first time on the battlefield, they were still far from the enemy.

The rear ranks of the murlocs were merely distant black dots.

By the time Alexei had calmed most of the troops and moved the completely terrified ones aside, the murlocs were still over 400 meters away.

”About ten men have lost their will to fight. The rest are still a bit scared, but they’ve started reloading their bullets,” Hughes estimated before turning to Ash.

”It looks like you won’t get a chance to step in.”

Ash nodded silently. Her assessment of the situation was similar.

The murlocs looked numerous, but they had already sprinted for over 500 meters and were clearly fatigued.

Most of them were slowing down, and even if they reached the frontline, they would have little energy left.

These firearms, capable of long-range attacks, were surprisingly effective against the murlocs, mere cannon fodder. Even with questionable accuracy at long range, distance itself was the best safeguard.

The soldiers moved slower than before, taking nearly a full minute to reload.

But the murlocs were in even worse condition. Many had fallen behind, while some could no longer run and were standing in place, gasping for breath.

Their thin limbs were not suited for movement on land.

”Fire!”

The soldiers’ shots were much sloppier this time, many were still shaken and fired without proper aiming, hitting only two murlocs.

But Alexei remained unfazed, continuing to command the troops to reload and fire.

The firm and steady orders, the rhythmic shooting, and the presence of their commanding officers and the Siren gradually stabilized the soldiers.

Meanwhile, the murlocs were now utterly exhausted, their charge no faster than a brisk walk.

After three more volleys, the soldiers’ accuracy improved significantly. Even some of those who had been too scared to stand earlier managed to rejoin the ranks.

After the initial shock, the soldiers began to acclimate to the battlefield.

Their reload times were getting faster with each attempt, surpassing even their training speeds.

The morale of the murlocs was on the verge of collapse, yet they did not scatter in retreat, they were too exhausted to flee, becoming little more than stationary targets.

”The murlocs have such poor endurance. How could a species like this be obsessed with mining?” Hughes muttered to himself, resting his chin on his hand as he pondered.

Alexei glanced at the enemy and decided to let the soldiers fire at will. The battle was already over; this was now a one-sided slaughter.

The gunfire continued for a while longer until most of the murlocs had fallen.

Alexei ordered the drummers to beat the war drums, signaling the troops to advance.

As they moved closer, they finished off the remaining murlocs before officially beginning to clear the battlefield.

”How does it feel?”

Hughes approached Alexei, who had a complicated expression on his face.

”It’s hard to describe, my lord. This doesn’t feel like war, it feels like a game.”

From start to finish, the enemy posed no real threat. The soldiers only needed to perform their shooting drills, and the enemy collapsed like wheat in the wind.

Throughout the battle, the soldiers barely expended any energy. Even if the enemy had somehow reached them, they would still be in perfect condition for melee combat.

This was an indescribable advantage. The Imperial Army had already dominated the world with smoothbore muskets, now, Castel had rifled muskets, making the Empire’s firearms seem like mere toys in comparison.

If they were to face the Imperial Army, Alexei was confident that he could break their morale before they even reached firing range. The marching speed of line infantry was strictly regulated, making it easy to calculate.

Alexei shook his head. What was he thinking?

Castel would never go to war with the Empire, Hughes had been personally appointed as a Frontier Count by the Empress herself.

But besides the Empire, who else could be Castel’s rival?

Alexei glanced at the rifled musket in his hands, then at the Siren and the distant Castel Cathedral, sinking into silence.

”Don’t worry, Alexei. Our Holy Guard will soon be equipped with new weapons. The rifled musket is just a temporary transition,” Hughes reassured him, thinking Alexei was concerned about firepower.

”Our new weapons will not be as powerless against those arm monsters. They are far more powerful.”

At this, Hughes suddenly recalled something and turned to Chloe. ”I remember a batch of steam rifles was discovered in the manor. Do you know anything about them?”

That batch of steam rifles had been temporarily sealed in an empty warehouse, alongside several crates of saltpeter ore and newly crafted brass bullets.

Hughes had decided to observe these items first, ensuring they remained stable before use, if they turned into contamination while being fired, it would be disastrous.

Besides, steam rifles didn’t sound very reliable. How useful could such a thing be?

”Yes,” Chloe replied. ”That’s exactly what you called ‘far more powerful’ weapons.”